Circuit-controller.



T: VRNEY.

GRCUT CONTROLLER.

vMPLHmTloN FILED fEB.1,1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

ATTRNEY T. VARNEY.

CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

APPLIGATIONAHLED 1"BB.1, 1912` Patented Jan. 12, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

g- WITNESSES:

' effecting the- Uurrnn sra'rns Partnr onaion.

CRCUIT-CONTROLLER.

insects.

Application led February 1, 1912.

T0 all whom 'it may concern.'

Be it known that l, THnoDonn Vannini', a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful l'mprovement in Circuit-Controllers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to circuit controllers for dynamo-electric machines, and it has special reference to so-called auto-starters that are provided with a neutral position intermediate a starting position and a running position, and are adapted for 'use' in so starting induction 'motors that an excessive rush of current is prevented when the motors are first connected to the system.

The object of my invention is to provide a device of the above-indicated character which shall be simple and durable in construetion'jeffective and reliable in operation, and that shall embody adequate means for circuit closure in both operating positions with a quick movement.

Aecordingto my invention, l provide a device of the above-mentioned general class which is normally biased to its neutral position and is provided with meansfor preventing an improper order oi operation and for necessitating a quick movement in throwing the device from its starting to its running position, and'one that is also provided with means having dependence upon the degree of movement of the operating handle for closing the cooperating contact members in either operating position with a quick movement oi' predetermined rapidity. irrespective of the speedwith which the 9perating handle is moved. f

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which` Figure 1 and Fig. 2 are,v respectively, an end view, partially in elevation and partially in section, and a similar side view, of a portion of a device constructed in accordance with my invention, certain parts being omitted or broken away for the sake of elearness. Fig. 3 is a detail view ot the operating handle and its accessories. Fig. 4.- is'a plan view-of a portion of the operating mechanism, and Figs. 5, (3 and 7 are views, partially in section and partially in elevation, taken` respectively. along the lines .lf-V, VIf-Vl and VII-Vl ot Fig, 2.

Referring to the drawings,

Specification of Letters Eatent.

Amechanism 7, restraining means S, releasthe operating mechanism the device l Patented J an. 12, i915 Serial No. 674,797.

herein shown comprises a plurality of sets 2 and 3 of stationary contact members 4 and cooperating movable eont'act members 5, in closing casings 6 and 6a, an operating in'g' means 9, and a dog 10, the purpose of which will be hereinafter set forth.

The stationary Contact terminals l and the movable contact terminals 5 may be of 6 any well-known construction, although l prefer those ot the butt contact type, the movable members of which are resiliently supported in the usual manner by suitable springs 11. rThe stationary contact terminals l are arranged in a plurality of rows and are secured to a supporting base or plate 12 which is suspended from ribs 13 provided in an upper casing (la by bolts 14. Il'he movable contact members 5 are also arranged in rows to cooperate with the stationary contact terminals l, said movable members 5 being suitably mounted on cross bars 15 and 1G in the usual manner. The bars 15 and 16 are respectively attached to rods 17 and 1S which project upwardly to 7, through openings 19 in the supporting base 12. The several movable contact terminals are electrically connected to stationary terminal members 20 by liexible conducting members 21 and are immersed in oil.

The arrangement o1 the parts is such that the cooperating Contact members of set 2 are closed in the starting position, and, on account ot'l the heavy currents which flow during the starting operation, the Contact members oi set 2 are of larger size than those which constitute set 3 in order to prevent exeessive heating.

The operating nuchanism 7 comprises an actuating shaft 25. an operating handle 2G, supporting arms 27 and 2S, a coil spring 2S), a yoke or intermediate member 3l), and a rod 31 that is rigidly associated with the operating shaft 25.

'lhelsupporting arms 27 and 28 are of like construction and are imlependcntly and loosely mounted upon the actuatingl shaft and adapted to pivotally support the rods l'nnd 1S upon pins 32. llach supporting arm is provided also with an extended portion 33 which serves as a stop and rests against one oi the ribs 18 of the casing` G when the device is in its neutral position. A projecting member 3l forms an integral part of each of the supporting surfaces 36 and 37, and with an upwar projecting trigger arms Q7 and Q8, and is provided with an inclined under surface 35, for a purpose to be hereinafter pointed out.

rl`he releasing means 9 constitutes a cam member which is fixed to theshat't 25 and is provided with symmetrically located cm 1v member 38 which is adapted 'to engage the dog 10-in amanner to be hereinafter described.

rl`he outer end of the rod 3l is secured to the cam member 9, while .its inner end is associated with a member 40 that is fixed with respect to the shaft 25, the rod 31 being disposed directly below, and parallel to, the axis thereof. The spring 29 surrounds the shaft 25 and its opposite ends 41 and 42 are disposed on the respective sides of the intermediate member 30.

rod- 81 and in engagement therewith.

-The intermediate or yoke member 3 0 comprises a main body portion 43 of partially cylindrical contour and a longitudinal extensionor projecting portion Ali, said member 30 being Aispended below the actuating shaft and the rod 3l by means oil a plurality of upwardly projecting bearing members 45, -16 and i7 which form integral parts of the intermediate member 30 and loosely surround the shaft 25. rll`he end bearing member Ll5 is located between the supporting arms 27 and Q8 and a collar 48 which is pinned to the shaft 25; the opposite end beaI-, ing member 47 surrounds the shat 25 be-1 tween the cam member 9 and the outer end 42 ot' the spring '29, while the central bearing member 46 is located intermediate the supporting arms 'lhe bodv portion 4:3 of the yoke member 30 is provided with a longitudinally disposed web or rib i9 which is located directly below` the rod 3l and in proximity thereto. The endsofthe spring 29 project into cooperative engagement with the respective sides thereof for a purpose to be set forth.

i The outer bearing member 4:7 is provided with an elongated curved slot 50, through which rod 3l projects, in order to permit relative movement between said iod 3l and Furthermore, the .-iposite upper edges 51 of the bearing member' i7 are provided withremovable plates 5; of particularly durable material, and which embodv catches 53 and 53. The eXv tension l-i of the intermediate member 30 projects beneath the supporting arms 27 and and is provided with inclined sides 54 which are adapted toengage the inclined sui-'tacos 55 and of the supporting arms 97 and 2S during the operation of the device.

'lhc releasing means rality of latches 57 and ally mounted upon the lugs forming a part ot the inclosing casing 6, and are disposed in vertical alinement with 8 comprises a plu- -the dog l0, movement 27 and 28 and the member 40.

58 which are pivot-V 59 and 60,'

megeve and with a portion 63 which is adapted vto cooperate with one of the catches and 53 in order to restrain the movement of the intermediate member and a roller 62. "l`he latches vreterredwto are maintained in their normal operating positions by a spring 6ft which is connected between them. f

The dog 10 is pivotally mounted within the casing 6 upon a pin 70, and comprises a hooktd arm 71' which is partially counterbalanced by'a weighted member 72. The under surface of the arm 71 is Y)rovided i. ath a notch 73, the right-hand side of which is vertically disposed, and said notch T3 is adapted to receive the upper end of the trigger member 38, whereby an initial movement in a clockwise direction, that is, 4into vented. Furthermore, the end ot the arm 71 is provided with a downwardlyproject-A ing portion 7l, having an inclined cam surface 75.

By reason of the arrangement of the parts just referred to and the peculiar contour of et the operating handle '26 in a counter clockwise direction, is permitted, during which movement. the dog l0 is t'orced upwardly until the trigger member 38 is freed from the projecting por tion 7 5, after which it drops into its norma position. li the operating Ahandle ,26 is moved slowly in a clockwise direction, the dog l0 is lirst raised during the engagement ot' the trigger member 38 and the inclined cam surface 75 thereof, after which the dog v 30 until finally released -through the agency of the cam member 9 l() drops into its normal position and re-y wardly, andthe trigger member B@ is per-' mitted to pass the recess 73 before the dog 10 descends into its normal position. Thus,

the operating handle 2,6 can be moved through its neutral position in a clockwise direction only by a rapid movement and an operator is thereby compelled to throw the device quickly from its starting to its running position.

The operating handle.y Ztl is rigidly fastened to the operating shaft 25, and, as hereinbet'ore intimated, is adapted to be moved to either side of its normal neutral position into 'the starting and running positions. liv reason of springs 'll which support the movable Contact members 5, as well as the weight of the component parts of the op 'handle 26 be ieee Y throw the handle to t` erating mechanism, the its .neutral position.

Within the handle 26, a rod 76 is movably disposed, the upper end thereof beingl provided with a button 77 whichprojects through a grip 4 8 and the lower end being provided with a lockingT member 79 which projects through an apening S0 in the handle 2G and coperatively engages a position-accen-tuating plate or member 8l. A spring; 82 surrounds the rod 76 between the button 7T and a portion 83 of the handle 26, and tends to hold it in its upper position. The plate Sl is secured to the casing 6 in a suitable manner and is provided with an upper curved portion Si, having notches S5 and Sti respectively located in the middle of the portion 8land to the right thereof, in order to receive the lockingr member 79, as shown in Fig. 3, whereby the handle may be restrained in its neutral and its running position. No notch is provided to the left of the central notch S5, and, hence, the operating` handle 26 cannot be lett in its starting position,l but, it' released, will immediately return to its central position.

Assuming the parts of the device to occupy the positions shown in the drawing, the device is locked in its neutral position and can only be moved therefrom by releasing the handle 26 from the positionaccentuating' plate 8l by depressingr the hutton 77. Having released the handle 26 in the manner mentioned, the operator may e left into the starting` position, but Iis prevented from throwing' it into its runningl position by the dog 10, as hereinbeiore explained. During; the first part of the movement into the starting position, the yoke or intermediate member 30 is rotated slightly in a counter clockwise di' rection by reason of the coiperative action ot' the rod 31 which is rigidly associated with the shaft 25 and the spring' Q9, as will be readily understood. The catch 53 is thus brought into engagement with the device is biased to latch :3S and further movement thereofl is' .hereby prevented. During; this movement, the extension member il oit the intermediate member '50 is also brought into engagement with the inclined surface 55 ot' the support inn arm As the operator continues to move theiqliandle toward the starting }')osition, enery is stored in the sprinf.,r 9.9 because ot the relative movement that is permitted between the shaft 25 and the restrained intermediate member 30 by reason oi the slot 50. lhen the handle 26 has been moved a predetermined' amount from its'.

neutral position. the cam surface 37 of the cam member 9 engages the roller G2 that is associated with the latch 58, andsaid latch is thus rotated out of engagement with the catch 53, ,whereby the energy ot the spring lcauses the intermediate member 30 to be its running suddenly rotated in a counter-clockwise direction at a predetermined speed which is dependent upon the characteristics of the spring. inasmuch as the intermediate member 30 already engaged the supportingi arni 2S previous to the release of the spring; 29, it is evident that, when the intermediate member 30 is actuated, it supporting' arm 2S and Contact terminals 5 that are suspended by the rod 1S. Thus, the coperating contact members comprising set 2 are brought into engagement with a snap movement. and the circuit closure in the starting position is effected with predetermined rapidity. It is evident that the speed of closing the contact members is dependent upon the spring '29 and independent ot the speed with which the operator moves the operating handle 2G.

ln throwing the device into its running position, the operator is compelled to do so with a quick movement by reason of the dos; l0, as already explained, and hence a quick break of the coperatinfz contact members 4 and 5 is obtained. Immediately upon moving the handle 26 from its starting position, the movable parts of the device resume their neutral position through the action of the contact-bearing springs ll and the weight of the parts referred te, after which the movable contact members 5 that are associated with set 3, are closed with a predetermined speed through the same cycle of operation, as hereinbetore set forth, it not being' deemed necessary to describe the operation, on account ot' its similarity to that Iiust recited in detail. lt is evident, thereiore, that the circuit closure of the device in position is also effected at a predetermined speed that is operators actions. The operatinglmechanism may be held in its running, position until the button T7-is depressed by the operator, as the projecting portion` T9 then engages the notch 86 in the position-accentualso the movable ating` plate Si, after which it will return to its normal neutral position.

Although l have shown and described a circuit-closingr device, or so-called auto starter, that embodies specilic structural details and a particular arrangement and location 'ot parts,v it will be understood that .various modifications may be effected from what is herein set forth without departing .trom the spirt and scope or" mv invention, and l desire that only such limitations shall loe imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

.l claim as my invention:

l. l'n a circuit controller, the eon'iaination with a plurality of sets of' coperatinstationary' and movable Contact me nhers, an

operating 'shaft and mechanism therefor,

and means for preventing an improper order of operation, of

carries with it' thev independent of the i means embodying a spring l around said shaft for effecting a quicl; closure' of ca ch tact members.

In a circuit eontrolienthe combination with a plurality ot sets of cooperating stationary and movable contact members, an iper-ating shal't associated with said members, a mechanism for operating the same, and means 'for preventing an improper order of operation, of means embodying a sihglo'torsiom-.l spring associated with said opcratin-lmechanism and disposed around said shatt tor eil'ectiug a predetermined quick closure of each of cooperating contact members, irrespective of the speed o1 oper: tion.

In a circuit controller, the combination with switching iflevire and a handle having a neutral position between its starting position and its ruiming position, an operating mecha ism comprising said handle, means ior preventing the operatirn oi said device in an improper order, and means for compelling a quick operation in throwing said device and handle from its starting to its ruiming position, olf means lor elfecting a quick circuit closure in both operating positions.

Ll. ln a circuit controller, the combination with a switching device and a handle having a neutal position between its starting position and. its running position, an operating mechanism comprising sailhandle, means for preventing the operation ot said device in in improper order, and'mcans 'for compelling a quick operation in throwing said device and handle ircm its starting to its running positiva, of means embodying a singie spring for cecting the circuit closures in both operating posit-ions with a Snap movement.

ln a circuit controller, the combination with a sii-itching device and a handle having a neutral posithn between, its starting poe sitirn and running position, an operating mechanism comprising said handle, means for preventing the opcratirn ot said device in an in'ip'roper order, and means for compcllinga quick operation in throwing said device and handle from its starting to its running pesi-tion, of means'associated with said operating mechanism and dependent upf-n the inc-,vement thereof for cli'ecting circuit closures at predetermined speeds, irrer spective oi the spoed of operation.

G. in an au o starter, the combinatii'in with a drmhle-thrmv switching device having a normal neutral position, a mechanism biased to the neutral position tor operating said device, and means for preventing the closure olf said device in one direction ezicept through a clrsure in the opposite direction and ifor necessitating a uniek movement from one operating position to the other, of

a spring-actuated mechanism assoclated with said operating mechanism for making the circuit connections in both operating po sitions with a snap movement.

7. In an auto starter, the combination with a double-throw switching device biased to a neutral position, means 'i'or preventing the closure of said device in an improper order and for necessitating a quick movement from the starting position to the runningposition, au surroumling the same, and means for storing energy in said spring when said shaft is rotatively moved in either direction, of means dependent upon the amount of rotawith a plurality of sets of cooperating stal actuating shaft, a spring .tivemovement for causing said spring tot() tionary and movable Contact members, an

actuating shaft, a supporting member loosely mounted on such shaft and Carrying said movable contact members, and an intermediate memoer loosely mounted thereon and adapted to engage said supporting ber, o1" a spring surrounding said shaft, means for associating' the opposite .ends of said spring with said shaft and said intermediate member in either direction of shaft lnemmovement, means for restraining said intermeans for releasing 'whereby the spring' set of cooperating said mediate member, and said restraining means, is adaptedto close one contact members through the :weney of intermediate member and sai Vsupporting 10| member.'

9. in an auto starter, the combination with two sets of cooperating stationary and iovable contact members normally held out of engagement, an actuating shaft, for suspending said movable Contact mem-I bers therefrom, an operating handle secured thereto, a coil spring surrounding said shaft and having one end associated therewith, an

means' 10 intermediate memberlooselv mounted on 11 said shaft and associated with the other end ot said spring, latches to restrain the movementof said intermediate member, a cam tlxed to said shaft and adapted to release said latches vunder predetermined condi- 1] tions, whereby either set of cooperating con' tact niembersis closed with a auickmove-v ment'h according to the direction of .movement of said operating handle.

in testimony whereof, subscrilied my' name thisllth day of J an.

THEDORE' VARNEY. vifi/'itnesses c it. J. Dnausoniv, B. B. Hines.-

l have hereunto 1.5 

